How to apply for a permit

The information required for permit application varies according to the complexity of the project. Many projects like reroofing, residing, replacement windows and similar work do not involve issues that require plans or plan review. The building permit can be issued over-the-counter, or on a next-day basis.

More involved projects which affect the structural aspects of a building, such as additions which enlarge the footprint of the building or new structures, require more information to ensure that all zoning and building code requirements can be met. If your project is a new single family house or duplex, the City of Pullman "Complete IRC Submittal" document is designed to help you put information together in a way which will ensure the most timely plan review possible.

Washington has a contractor's registration law requiring any city to verify that the general contractor who will be doing the work is current with the registration requirements. To fulfill the city's obligations, the general contractor and current registration number must be listed on all building permit applications. The only instance in which the city is permitted to issue a building permit without a registered contractor being listed is when the job will be performed by the property owner and a waiver is signed which states that the property owner understands the contractor registration laws and will not hire unregistered contractors to perform any work.

Once the permit application is made, it can take four to six weeks for plan review. When the review is complete, the permit will either be approved so that you may start your project, or you will receive a plan-review letter notifying you of areas where the plans do not meet all of the minimum standards. While no one enjoys being told that their plans require further work, one benefit of the review is that changes can be made during the paper stage of the project, before you have invested time and materials into something that must be changed.

If you don't understand how to modify the drawings to attain compliance, you may call the person who reviewed the plans. Depending on how involved the correction is, it might be possible for the reviewer to explain over the phone. Alternatively, you could meet in person with the reviewer to go over the corrections.

***We recommend that you use Adobe Acrobat for completing PDF forms, as we have difficulty reading the input from other programs.***

Building Permit Application 
Permit Checklist for single family or duplex structures
Permit Fee Quick Guide 
Permit Fee Schedule effective 02.02.2021 (current)
Backflow Prevention Device Reporting Form
Industrial User Application
Water/Sewer Service Application
Complete IRC Submittal brochure
Contractor Waiver Form
Pre-Application Meeting Request Form
Solar Permit Checklist

***We recommend that you use Adobe Acrobat for completing PDF forms, as we have difficulty reading the input from other programs.***


Design Criteria

Adopted Codes
(effective 02/01/2021)

2018 International Building Code
2018 International Residential Code
2018 International Mechanical Code
2018 International Fuel Gas Code
2018 Uniform Plumbing Code
2018 Washington State Energy Code
All with Washington State Amendments

Climatic and Geographical Design Criteria

Ground Snow Load: 30 psf
Frost depth: 30"
State Energy Code Climate Zone: 5B
Soil Bearing Value (generally): 1,500 psf
Seismic Design Category: B
Ice Barrier Underlayment Required: YES
Wind Design:
   Speed (mph): 110
   Topographic effects: NO
   Special wind region: NO
   Wind-borne debris zone: NO